League Preview: Bohemians -v- Shelbourne
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians occupied top spot in the league table for most of the season up to recent weeks and although they have now dropped back to third, they are still in a very healthy position heading into their Dublin derby clash with neighbours Shelbourne this Friday night.
They are only five points behind leaders Derry City but also have a game in hand so they will look on Fridays match as an opportunity to close that gap with the leaders back to two points.
Their other main objective on Friday night will be to arrest their recent slump in form, a slump which has seen them win only once in their last five outings.
They were on a high after a 5-0 thrashing of Cork City but then lost two crucial games, away to Shamrock Rovers (0-2) and at home to Derry City (0-1). They steadied the ship somewhat last weekend with a very good 2-2 draw away at Dundalk.
They were 2-0 down in Oriel Park and facing a third consecutive loss heading into the final 15 mins of the game, however late goals from Declan McDaid and Jordan Flores gave them a share of the points.
On the injury front, goalkeeper James Talbot had to withdraw from the senior Ireland training camp in Bristol this week after sustaining an injury in the Dundalk game.
Derry City manager Declan Devine has shed light on the absence of one of his key players from the recent training camp, attributing it to an injury incurred during a warm-up in Dundalk.
Devine revealed, "He did not go to the camp as he picked up a strain in Dundalk during the warm up."
The player had been sidelined due to the injury, but returned to the field on Thursday.
"Thursday was the first day he was back on the pitch, so it was a case where we couldn't take a risk and there was no point in him going there to watch training," Devine added.
Despite this setback, the manager assured fans that their player would be fit for the upcoming game on Friday, stating, "He will be fine for Friday."
SHELBOURNE
Shelbourne were on an eight-game unbeaten run up to last weekend’s home match with St. Patrick's Athletic, but a 1-0 loss put an end to that and also dropped them from a top four position to sixth in the table. Their overall points tally of 24 is still very commendable and is only two points off the joint fourth-placed teams, St. Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk, both of whom are on 26 points.
They still have the joint-best defensive record in the Premier Division alongside Derry City, both teams having conceded only 11 goals after 17 rounds of games.
Shels competed very well in the defeat to St. Pats, and after Sam Curtis netted for the visitors in the 56th minute, the home side created numerous chances through substitutes Brian McManus and Kyle Robinson, but were unable to find a way past keeper Dean Lyness.
Manager Damian Duff spoke to the Shelbourne media team in advance of the Derby, saying, “First and foremost, we need to play with a real edge, a proper hunger and desire, a want to find a way to win the game, any win will do. Dublin derby, home or away, they’re not going to be pretty.
“We hope the quality comes because we have some beautiful players, but above all else I want to see us win the battles. The message to the players, anything in front of you, you win it, come out on top in your duels, do the ugly stuff, there’s no right or wrong way to get a win, I want us to do what is needed to beat what’s in front of you.”
“Outside of the 4-1 game at Tolka, which was an outlier, the two games away there last year were tight affairs. Games we should have won, really. We conceded late on in the drawn game there, and then a narrow 1-0 defeat.
“We grew a lot as we progressed last season. By the time you get to the 1-1 drawn game at home, we played most of the game with 10 men, we lost two important players to injuries, and we still should have won that match. It was an incredible game and performance, and one we were very unfortunate not to win, against all odds.
“They’ve been tight, close-run games, I expect nothing different tomorrow night.”
“Our defensive record this season is not black and white, you’d think joint lowest, we’d be happy, but we know we should be doing better. But even with that said, you have to give the guys' credit, in open play they’re absolutely outstanding. It contradicts itself with set plays. Yes, we changed our setup, but it still comes down to individual responsibilities at a corner or free kick.
"Ultimately, we know it all comes back on my head and the staff, but the guys on the pitch know what’s expected and what they need to do. If you’re marking someone, that person can’t score a goal. That’s it, it’s as simple as that.
"If you’re a player, you should take set plays as very personal. If you are given a job, that job is to mark your man, make sure they don’t score, you do it, and you do it every single time, every game, from minute one to minute ninety.
"Not doing it has cost us seven goals this season and it is not acceptable. I’m not sure there’s another team in the league that would have more work done on video, setup, defending set pieces. We cover it, what we want to see now is that happening on the pitch.”
Referee: Damian McGrath
MATCH STATS
A 77th minute goal for Shelbourne from Reading loanee Kian Leavy was the difference between these sides when they met for the first of three clashes this season.
The 20-year-old Ardee native has also been released by the Championship club this week after they were relegated down to League One for the 2023/ 24 season.
The two players who scored late in Bohemians draw at Dundalk are also their highest scorers this season. Jordan Flores is on five goals while Declan McDaid is on three goals.
PREDICTION
Bohemians 2 -1 Shelbourne
Bohemians
Injured: James Akintunde
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Shelbourne
Injured: Kian Leavy, Paddy Barrett, Sean Boyd, Gavin Molloy
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
